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Academic Programs

The Department of Biology offers undergraduates two broadly based bachelor's degree programs
within which there are opportunities for selecting a special concentration. The department
also offers a Master of Arts degree in biology. A congenial atmosphere allows students
to develop a close relationship with peers, graduate students, and faculty. An emphasis
is placed on laboratory and field courses, to give students practical experience, and
on participation in research.

Laboratory courses are designed to focus on structure, development, physiology, microbiology,
genetics and DNA recombination. Laboratory instruction provides students with hands-on
opportunities with physiological equipment, ultracentrifugation, PCR, electrophoresis,
light microscopy, immunofluorescence microscopy and microbiological techniques. Excellent
laboratory and greenhouse facilities, such as the Raymond Burr Greenhouse and orchid
collection, exist for maintaining live material for classroom use and research. A radioisotope
laboratory is also available.

Biology graduates are prepared to enter the job market in a variety of careers, including
government agencies, park service, biological research, teaching, and medical technology.
Students seeking a teaching credential may elect biology as their major within the teaching
credential preparation program in science (see page 73). Graduates from the department
have an outstanding record of acceptance in advanced degree programs at technical, dental,
veterinary, medical and graduate schools, as well as in fifth-year hospital traineeships
in medical technology.

The biology curriculum, supported by physical sciences and mathematics, is designed to
provide students with a strong background in the principles of biology and rigorous upper-division
instruction. This combination of breadth and in-depth instruction allows students to
develop the intellectual foundations and the skills necessary to deal with the specific
biological concerns of today and the flexibility to meet the needs of the profession.